Teaching what you don't know (about translation)

TL;DR

Teaching translation is a complex task that requires addressing technology, market-based problems, and the unstable nature of knowledge in the field.

Transcript

over the years I have grown more attracted to saying something I couldn't say when I was a little bit done for about 40 years of my life I could never admit that I don't know things and now I'm entering old age it's such a pleasure to answer to students when they ask the most complicated vital Webster's questions then I say go and find out or let's... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🏫 Technology is an important aspect of translation, but it is constantly evolving, making it impossible for professors to have all the answers.
• 😒 The use of machine translation and post-editing is a topic of debate, with no clear consensus on its efficiency.
• 😒 The decision to use or correct translation memories provided by clients depends on the nature of the error and the translator's judgment.
• 🐎 Translation speed and revision methods vary among translators and depend on individual preferences and the specific project.
• 🏑 The field of translation is subject to constant change, influenced not only by technology but also by the nature of language itself.
• 👨‍🔬 Research on translation processes often focuses on a limited number of subjects, making it difficult to generalize findings to the entire profession.
• 🥺 Translation cultures can differ significantly, leading to varying norms and practices.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is post-editing machine translations more efficient than translating from scratch?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as opinions vary among translators. Some believe post-editing is more efficient, while others prefer translating from scratch. The efficiency also depends on the quality of the initial machine translation.

Q: Should translation memories provided by clients be used as is or corrected?

The approach to using translation memories depends on the specific error in the translation. Some translators suggest using the translation memories as they are, while others argue that corrections should be made to improve accuracy and quality.

Q: Is it better to translate quickly and revise extensively or translate slowly and revise less?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question as different translators have different preferences. Some prefer to translate quickly and spend more time revising, while others prefer to translate slowly and revise less. It ultimately depends on the translator's individual process and mindset.

Q: Does translating faster result in a loss of quality?

Some argue that translating faster can lead to a loss of quality, while others believe that it is possible to maintain quality even when translating at a faster pace. Context, language pair, and individual translator skill can all play a role in determining the impact of translation speed on quality.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker discusses the importance of admitting uncertainty and encouraging students to seek answers to complex questions rather than assuming they have all the answers.

• The efficiency of post-editing machine translations is debated, with no clear consensus on whether it is more efficient than translating from scratch.

• The use of translation memories provided by clients is discussed, with differing opinions on whether they should be used as is or corrected by the translator.

• The speaker mentions different translation styles, translation revision methods, and the impact of translation on language availability.